People Like Us

"If poor people behaved rationally, they would seldom be poor for long in the first place." Quoting Lawrence Mead, this claim might come across as kind of offensive to some poor people. They may be born into a poor family and they themselves could have no control over how rich or poor they are. But still, even if that is the case, these people could indeed act rationally and focus on doing what they have to do in order to prosper. In the film we watched in class there were many different people in many different situations, but all of them had the same solution available to them: they (and really anyone in life) have control over what they make of themselves, and it is really up to them to make it happen. It all comes down to who you are, and how bad you want to do well and make something of yourself - if you have the intuition, knowledge, courage, and determination to do so. 
Another point that makes me disagree with Mead in some ways, is the fact that a lot of people in this film were simply doing the best they can with what they were given, or what they have. And it is a lot easier to prosper in life and become successful if you are educated and intelligent - which, some people are more than others. If you are uneducated than you may honestly not be aware of a possible way, or thing you could do to become successful. A lot of poor people continue to stay poor because they can't see out of the box; can't understand what to do, or how to do it. I personally think that everyone, no matter who you are or what you start from, does in fact have the power to make something of themselves. Not to say its takes an equal amount of effort for everyone. Some people are much more fortunate than others and have a much easier time becoming successful.